A Buyer Writes In to Defend His Island's Charms: LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The Money Report of July 29, 2000, investigated the pleasures and perils of investing in islands. Our survey considered islands from the South Seas to Scotland.

In the latter region, we mentioned Clett, three hectares (7.5 acres) covered with abundant flora. Our article may have been a bit harsh, describing this inexpensive gem of the North Atlantic as a kind of starter island for somebody with a strong outdoorsy bent.

Richard Haigh thinks we went overboard. His company bought Clett after we printed — but before he read — our article.

Here is how he sees it:

THERE CANNOT be many islands with a song named after them. Yet, the tiny windswept island of Clett, off the western coast of Scotland, is such a place.

Don't worry, you are not alone. This may, tactfully, be described as one of the singer's lesser-known tracks, and rather than a "Mellow Yellow," Clett is more a kind of mellow green — thanks, in no small part, to the grass-like vegetation that grows there year-round.

Make no mistake, though, Donovan was not singing about some sunny tropical isle. The weather on Clett is often fierce, and the only company you will likely meet on the island are birds and passing seals, just stopping by for a rest.

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BUT ON A clear sunny day, you can understand why Donovan was inspired by this romantic location, and later went on to buy the island. It is, after all, located off the coast of one of Scotland's most visited islands — the "magical" Isle of Skye. A place made famous for its dramatic scenery, turbulent history and mercurial skies.

Dunvegan Castle, ancestral home of the Clan MacLeod since the 1200s, and reputedly the oldest inhabited castle in Scotland, is barely a mile from Clett and plays an important part in the island's history.

Clett, standing proudly at the mouth of Loch Dunvegan, and just a stone's throw from the open sea, is a meeting place for many of Scotland's wee beasties. Even the occasional whale has been known to visit, after having lost its way!

So, the next time you are looking for a home, and thinking about buying an island, spare a thought for the animals who may well have beaten you to it.

As your intended purchase will likely be their main residence (or just their very useful second home, for entertaining friends and such).

ALIBABA.COM. A Hong Kong-based trading Web site that has several islands listed for sale. To find them, go to www.alibaba.com/offer/cat/31.html, type "island" in the "search for" field and click on search.

CLETT. Anyone wishing to find out more about Clett and the surrounding areas can e-mail Moneyedge Corp. at mail@clett.com.

DALLI INTERNATIONAL MARKETING. An Internet marketing site with island listings at http://dalli.com/int.marketing/cat/frm/island.htm.

TO READ the Money Report section on islands, visit the Web pages at www.iht.com/IHT/MONEY/072900/index.html.

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